This is a public service announcement to all Tokyo residents. If you were planning on visiting Tokyo’s Cafe & Bar DiCE! on July 25th 2009, from 10am to 4pm… STAY AWAY. STAY VERY FAR AWAY. For on this day, this normally mild-mannered maid cafe (disclaimer: as I have never been to this place, nor can I find it anywhere on Google, I don’t know if it is either mild-mannered or a maid cafe) will be turned into a place of absolute terror – for it will become the Kigurumi cosplay cafe Aokazetei.

In case you didn’t know (and count yourself among the lucky few if not), “kigurumi” cosplay is a particular subgenre of cosplay, which can best be described as “mascot cosplay.” Basically, the cosplayer dresses up in a full bodysuit styled after their favorite anime character or whatever — including a fully-detailed, properly proportioned (according to the given character’s design) character mask. Yes, a mask. With huge, non-moving anime eyes. And when the guy (for it will undoubtedly be a guy wearing these costumes) speaks, his (doubtless high and squeaky) otaku voice will be coming, somewhat muffled, from behind this huge character mask with the dead eyes.

shudder

If you are morbidly curious (or have a sado-massochistic complex), check out the above links for some truly disturbing pictures.

Fortunately this subgenre is not very popular especially here in the States. Of all the anime conventions I’ve been to, I only saw one kigurumi cosplayer, at last year’s Anime Los Angeles. (I did not see that person again this year, though that doesn’t necessarily mean that he wasn’t there at all.)

Basically my advice to you would be this: RUN AWAY, RUN AWAY!!!

This has been a public service announcement brought to you by Otaku no Podcast. We now return you to your regularly scheduled programming.